Chapter Text
The car seats poked like jagged rocks under them. Four hours on the road felt like days.
“How much longer? ‘Feels like we’ve been in this fucking car forever.” Leo uncomfortably shifted in his seat, the car was small, the edge of the console prodded at his hip. Leo hated long car rides. He could handle a few hours, one or two maybe- but four was pushing it. Once he got bored of looking out the window and playing with his thumbs, he was easily frustrated. More than usual at that.
Vincent chose to ignore Leo's negative attitude on everything. He just wanted to enjoy this trip, just for once. “We’re close, okay? Just try to stay relaxed. Im looking forward to the bed,” he made sure to keep his eyes on the road and continued to grip the steering wheel. Which after all this time made his hands feel weary. He would miss the oddly comforting vibration later.
The car they were driving was stolen of course. Hot wired by Vincent himself. It wasn't in the best condition, but it would do. Hell! It was working wasn't it? When they found it, Leo complained. Pointing at how dusty and beat-up the vehicle was, unlike the others though, it had a working radio. So he shut up about it.
“The same fucking song, are you hearing this Vin?” he dramatically pointed at the radio. They had two decent stations, both littered with five minute long commercial breaks. The screen was cracked down the middle, causing blurs of purple to shoot across the corners. “Even the radio sucks these days! It can't be that hard to play some decent music. I need to blow off some steam,”
Vincent scoffed, “There's a gas station at the next exit. We’ll stop there.”
By the time they arrived, the sun was completely down. The sky was a dark blue, clouds were scarcely scattered over the horizon. Vincent's favorite part of the day. He enjoyed getting out of the car, his butt felt like it had molded into the seat. He let out a long, much needed yawn. The glass door produced a small ‘beep’ when opened.
“Welcome to Quick n’ Go. I’ll be here if you boys need anything.” The voice came from behind the counter, lacking a positive tone. The worker looked about fifty. With graying hair, brown peaked from the roots. Her dress was a pale yellow, and she was smoking a cigarette. Vincent gave her a reassuring nod, then looked away. He could hear hacking once he turned.
This was a new town for them. No flyers, radio announcements, or helicopters yet. It was a relief, they didn't have to deal with their uncomfortable (and weirdly itchy) disguises. Which was also a pain in the ass to get off, and time consuming.
“Gotta piss, move!” Leo yelled and shoved passed him, running into the Mens bathroom. Vincent could hear the stall door click from outside. He studied the shelf, looking for something quick he could eat in the car, Leo and he both stocked up on snacks earlier- but those were all strictly hotel food. So if he was hungry, now was the time.
He grabbed two bags of chips and two waters, paid and waited outside for his accomplice. Since it rained the prior night, the air was humid and cold, plastic ruffled against him. The wind picked up, not letting him light his cigarette. Eventually he got it working, inhaling the lethargic, stale taste. Vincent hated how they tasted, but didn't mind the smell.
He thought for a moment, wondering if he should be worried this robbery would go wrong. Somehow they were both still alive. Vincent doesn't like planning or even thinking about the burglary. He just thinks of everything awful, when it comes to robbing a bank, there are many more cons than pros.
He didn't want to die, that was the main reason. That was everyone's reason, but he didn't want Leo to die either. Or any civilians, cops, anyone. Death was the fear itself. But there was no avoiding it, and that he knew. But something greater tortured him, something so brittle and sensitive- he feared even talking about it would tip him over the edge.
His daughter.
Even thinking about her made his whole body burn. He could never be a good father, it was impossible at this point. He would never see his daughter again. The thought haunts him everyday, some days more than others. Some days he cant consume anything but ethanol.
The door dinged, Leo walked out rubbing his hands on his pants. “I feel much better, let's get the hell out of here. How much longer now?” he yawned
“About five, maybe ten minutes. I'm as ready as you are.” he took a swig of his water, it tasted like straight plastic, but at least it was cold.
Both men hopped back in the car, their backsides seeping back into the aggravating seats, Leo noticed the bag and gestured to it, “Oooh, ‘whatcha get?”
“Take a peak.” Vincent gave a smirk. Leo rummaged through it and pulled a bag of chips out, the smell hit Vincent's nose quickly. Artificial cheese and tortilla, wonderful.
“Oh thank fuck, god I'm starving. I didn't even think about grabbin' something.” He pulled the bag, making it pop. “I was just gonna sneak some of our hotel food.” he shoved a few chips in his mouth. “Shit, it's already eight?”
—---
They pulled up to the Motel, its sign dimly glowing in yellow, big letters. It read,
‘SUNSET MOTEL. OPEN 24 HOURS. VACANT.’ though the last few letters were not lit.
“Welcome to paradise.” Vincent joked, Leo rolled his eyes.
“I just hope the beds are decent, I’d sleep on anything right now though.” their door swung open almost simultaneously. They popped the trunk and grabbed their luggage. Both of the men didn't bring much, they didn't really have much. Just the basics: Bottled water, microwavable food, clothes, and an extra blanket. (Which they nabbed from some old lady, not Leo's proudest moment.)
Leo checked them in, he checked the card. “Room 118.”
Their room was on the second story. Which Leo would be thrilled about if they weren't ten feet off the ground. “This is it.” The room looked how they expected it to. Small, and a little bit dingy. Not the worst room they’ve gotten.
Unlike Vincent, Leo tossed his bags right when they stepped inside. “Fuck yeah! The beds are actually softish! Thank you God!” He made a praying motion and fell back onto the bed.
“That bed is a bit bigger than usual,” Vincent looked around the room. “Where the hell is the other one?” Leo shot up, and joined Vincent in his look around the room,
“You’re fucking kidding me! There's only one bed, fuck that. I'll go talk to the–”
“We don't need to do that, Leo.” He squeezed between his brows, “Look, I'll sleep on the floor or something. The last thing we need is unnecessary attention brought to us. It’ll be fine.”
“One fucking bed! Can you believe that? You can't sleep on the floor, it's cold.” Leo crossed his legs. “I mean whatever, do what you want. Just don't try to make me pity you or anything.”
“Oh whatever,” Vincent pulled two sheets from the bed, it was thin and cheap. “All I need is this and a pillow, I'm tired so hand it over.” Leo nodded and gave him what he asked for.
He was skilled at making pallets to sleep on, as a kid this was something he did often. It wasn't as fun as it was thirty years ago. Leo turned the lamp off, and pulled himself under the sheets. They both were too tired to make dinner or shower, so they saved that for the morning.
“The quicker this night is over, the quicker we’ll be out of here.” Vincent said and tugged at his sheet. His palette made him feel like he was sleeping on a hard floor, which he was. It wasn't very effective. “Night.” Leo didn't respond. He never responded to Vincent's goodnight messages.
A few minutes went by, other than the hush buzz and crickets coming from outside, their room was completely silent. The silence became painful, Vincent feared he would breathe too loud and throw the tension off. The feeling was tense, Leo could detect it too.
“Just come get in the fucking bed, Moretti.” The silence was broken, thank god.
Vincent got up and climbed into the bed, he wanted to pick on Leo so bad . But he’d rather not get punched in the face. Plus, he enjoyed seeing Leo's assholeness gone for a bit. The bed on his side was warm, proof Leo was recently there.
“Are you nervous?” Vincent rolled over to face Leo, who was the one who asked the question.
“About what?” Vincent mumbled, so quiet it was almost a whisper. Leo looked at him like he was stupid,
“About literally everything. What the fuck do you mean? God's sake Vince, we’re wanted criminals. You can see our fucking faces plastered on posters around the whole city!” his voice was getting loud, “We broke out of jail. I'm on the run! You’re on the run! Don't act fucking dull.” He let out a much needed sigh. “I'm fucking scared, Vince okay?”
“I know, I know. But Leo we can do this. Like I said, we need to keep staying as low as possible, and bring no attention to ourselves. You understand?” Vincent attempted to put a hand up to his partner's cheek, but Leo quickly pushed his hand away.
“Shut the fuck up, yeah I fuckin’ understand. Don't baby me,” Leo looked away and rolled over, and their conversation was over.
Vincent had a weird dream that night. A dream that he saw his daughter. Though it wasn't his daughter, just some doll with button eyes. He doesn't remember much.
The sun emerged quickly, it was morning. Around eight am, they had overslept. Vincent opened his eyes dazily, attempting to make out the numbers on the alarm clock in front of him. It took a minute, but eventually his eyes fully adjusted. 8:32am. Fuck. he lunged out of bed, cursing under his breathe for forgetting to set an alarm.
“Leo, Leo wake up. We have to go, we overslept,” he spat, and started pulling off yesterday's clothes, tossing them on the floor frantically.
Leo attempted to pull himself out of the covers, “What? Give me five minutes,” he groaned
“No Leo, we have to go now . I'm serious, staff will come up soon to check on us. Come on, get up and get dressed.” Vincent shook him. He got up, dressed, and they both packed up everything as quickly as they could. Speedily cleaning up the loose ramen paper tops, bags and other trash. Making sure to bring all of it with them.
Back in that dreaded car again. They planned to rob a local grocery store, located just an hour down the road. This isn't their first robbery, this one would make the fifth. If they were successful, it would be the third they robbed correctly. The more robberies they carried out, the less anxious it became. The first time they had planned one, they feared the worst. But now, it has become so normal . Vincent hated that, he didn't want to get comfortable with the idea of robbing something or somebody, but that's all he could do.
He knew Leo felt the same, at least, he hoped.
Ever since the flyers have been put up a few towns over, they’ve attempted to change their appearances in many ways. From growing excessive amounts of facial hair, to cutting their hair. Leo hated the idea of cutting his hair at first, he refused. But Vincent gave one of his spiels, and he agreed, after almost having a tantrum. He could be such a baby sometimes.
The car came to a holt, red light. “We’re close.” Vincent looked over at Leo, who was fiddling with his cuticles, a bad habit orbiting around ripping the loose skin around the edges down, causing beads of blood to arise just around the inflamed area. “Let's discuss the plan.”
“My way. New city, new people. We need to be rough.” Leo proposed. Vincent hated how Leo did things, so violent. Had this man never heard of being responsible? Leo waited for him to answer, just hoping to argue.
“We did it your way last time. Yeah it's a new town, sure. But do you want a violent reputation already?”
“I honestly don't care, I just want it done. I can feel the money in my hands already Vin. Shit! This place could be loaded.” his eyes got wide. “Where are the guns anyway?” Vincent gestured to the trunk, they kept them tucked tightly packed behind a few shirts planted in Leo's tan suitcase. Needless to say, the guns were bought from Tara. They've used the same ones the entire trip, a Ruger LCP 2 and a Remington RM380. Both of their preferred choices.
Vincent noticed it was early noon now, the sun lingered in the sky, shining brightly down on their car. Right now he wished more than ever that the AC worked, “It must be summer now,”
Leo fanned himself “It must be, I'm boiling.” he poked at the buttons by the radio, hoping they would do something. “Are you worried?” Vincent nodded.
“I guess so. How could I not be? No matter how many times we do this, fear will always be there.”
“Right well,” Leo started “We go in with the guns, and threaten the cashier. There may be a lot of customers, or none, we’ll see. Hopefully we won't have to shoot anyone, but if we do remember the rule. Aim for a shoulder, or a leg. Our guns aren't powerful enough to kill anyone with those shots.”
Vincent could feel worry swimming up into his stomach, making his legs feel like jelly. “Hopefully we won't have to do this anymore.” Vincent watched the light.
“Soon Vince,” Leo patted him on the back. “This’ll be the last one for a bit.”
After a few more minutes of driving they had arrived. The grocery store was smaller than Leo imagined it, which was probably a good thing. Though he worried they wouldn't have much cash. “This place is a little small.” he said
“Better for our profile.” Vincent replied, and turned the car off. “Put on your mask and grab the gun, tuck it behind your left arm instead of the right.” Leo didn't question this, and did just that.